Canister Filter question

[Marchillo]

i know I know most people don't use them - nitrate factory. I maintain mine once a week and I don't mind. But have a question.

I use a eheim that came with something called substrate pro and ceramic rings. Once a week I thoroughly rinse them off in the tank water I'm getting rid of. They say to replace x amount every 6-12 months. I've have it for about 8 months. Every time I clean it maybe 1 or 2 pieces breaks off and I dispose.

Question finally. Is there any real need to replace it? As long as it's in tact and I'm rinsing the junk off can't it last for as long as I want? Is there a benefit or determint if I change/don't change it.

Thanks!

 

[billdogg]

I used a canister filter on my 60 cube for 22 years. Although it wasn't an eheim, the principle is the same. I used the same porous ceramic rings the entire time, doing like you are doing and rinsing them when I cleaned it out.

You may need to add some from time to time, but I think the need to replace them is as much to keep eheim in business selling them as it is anything else. I found that the sponges are great for growing micro brittle stars and a variety of pods, and that it made a great place to put carbon. I put my carbon in used chemipure bags to keep it from becoming a huge mess. FWIW - I also used a dual biowheel HOB (Marineland Emperor) and still have the original wheels in use. Currently they are in the sump, ready to use on my QT.

As long as you stay on top of maintenance, there is nothing at all wrong with using canister filters, at least IMO.

hth

 

[Marchillo]

This is exactly what I wanted to hear. Great feedback. I thought about it and didn't make sense to me to replace it. Like you said I'll probably have to add some at a later time. I also run carbon in mine as well.

Thanks for the response!

 

[texdoc77]

I also run a canister filter but I have modified it a bit. Understanding what and why you run a canister will help. First of all if you have LR and a sand bed you do not need your canister filter to act as biofiltration therefore you do not need the ceramic rings OR the substrate pro. However, the canister can act as a poor mans sump, a water mover and mechanical filtration. I use filter floss, carbon and phosguard in my canister and then have placed the return in the center of my tank to aid in water movement. I really like the ability to "vacuum" my tank with the canister and especially when I clean the tank, the detritus and other junk gets filtered out. Maintenance is an issue and I clean my filter and determine if I need to replace my carbon/phosguard twice monthly. Many people say the canister filters are a nitrate factory, but no more than the DT, I mean anywhere detritus and waste builds up by definition nitrate will follow, but this is not specific to a canister. If I had a place and set up for a sump I would not use my canister, but as it is I do not want to drill my tank or use a HOB so this is why I use my canister.

Hope this helps.

 

[Sapelo]

The thing about canisters is that they need to be constantly (yes, once a week) maintained and it's a lot harder to see what's happening in a canister than in a sump. Having said that, if you're committed to it it can work just fine. I've been there and done that, it can be made to work.
Billdogg gave you great advice. My original came with those ceramic rings, some plastic balls, and several other items that made no sense. I ditched those things, maintained the sponges and added some small pieces of live rock that break down far less quickly than the ceramic rings (plus if you ever need a make-sift frag plug you've got one ready).
When we finally cleaned out the canister totally we found several good sized bi-valves (mussels?) growing there. It must be good for something!
To answer your question, I wouldn't replace the ceramic rings, I'd use small pieces of live rock. Good luck!
(and good job being committed enough to change the canister once a week!)

 

[3dees]

I use a canister on and off but it only has carbon for my softie tank. I would ditch all the media. you don't need it.

 

[Moray26]

I use a canister filter for the soul purpose of adding some filtration as my moray eel has a bit of waste as well as the tang. All I use is sponges and carbon. Works well. Never had nitrates in my tank that were noticeable.